Private Sector Participates in Workshop to Improve Security of Control Systems in the Energy Sector

Monday, August 08, 2005

Many control systems used throughout the energy sector to monitor and control energy flows may be vulnerable to malicious cyber or physical attacks. If these systems are disabled or compromised, they could cripple key energy systems and hinder operations in other important sectors. Solutions that improve the security of energy control systems are urgently needed.

facilitator leading a discussion during Workshop to Improve Security of Control Systems in the Energy Sector Toward this end, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sponsored a collaborative workshop on July 12-14, 2005, to develop a Roadmap to Secure Control Systems in the Energy Sector. The workshop brought together 60 leading experts representing energy owners and operators, security specialists, technology developers, laboratory researchers, academia, and equipment vendors. This collaborative effort was led by energy asset owners and operators as part of a public-private partnership to improve cyber security in the energy sector.

Plenary speakers included

Michehl Gent, president and CEO, North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
Jane Alexander, deputy director, HSARPA, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Henry Kenchington, program manager, U.S. Department of Energy
Al Rivero, manager, regulatory strategy and compliance, Chevron
Samuel Varnado, director of the Information Operations Center, Sandia National Laboratories
Paul Kurtz, executive director, Cyber Security Industry Alliance

Workshop participants identified over 170 actions needed to improve control system security, 60 of which were deemed to be priority. When complete, the Roadmap will identify the critical needs and priorities for improving security, reliability, and functionality of legacy and advanced control systems. It will be used to guide technology investments in government and industry and improve operating practices in the electric, oil, and gas sectors.

For more information, contact Katie Jereza or Lindsay Kishter at 410-290-0370.